The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-13
THE DOUBLE MURDER,
Tho Tragedy ut Holidays Cove still Upper.

Auc AEatSeuy Ut dOlllun9'b Cove stllI upper
The murder Of Mira. McWhs and her
daughter, Mrs. Van B: Baker, ct Holli-
days Cove on Monday afternoon, etill
continues to be the leading topic of con-
versation ell over this section. When the
Sheriff Of Hancock county arrested Van
Baker on suspicion Of having committed
the act, he handcuiIed hia priaoner. placed
hin. in closei carriage and drove him
across the country to the New Cumbcr-
land jail, where he is closely confined. So
great is the feeling against him that it
was feared he would be taken from Sheriff
and lynchod, but by o little strategy the
officers succeeded in getting the prisoner
away unmolested. Baker took his arrest
very c!olly and was evidently very glad
to get away from the scene OF the murder.
No verdict was rendered by the coroner's
jury. as it was feared such action might
add fire to the already fierce flame raging
in the breasts of the populace. ~
A search Of the house failed to find the
$4,000 in bonds and moro thorough
search will be made alter the funeral.
The bonds are not in any Of the Steuben-
Wills banks, and il not found in the houae
the authorities will be at loss to know
|'whero they are concealed. The two wills
which were known to exat are also miss
ing. The Steubenville Herald says: Yes.
terday We noted the fact that contents OF
the kitchen stove would be examined and
such examination showed the stove filled
with the ashes Of burned paper, aud 1t is
now believed that the Wills have been
destroyed. This is thought to be another
strong circumstance against Baker, for if
the murder had been committed by bur.
glars, as he claims, they would have had
no interest in destroying papsrs. Another
link in the chain was discovered yester-
day when Mrs. Bakers shoes were found
near the head and under the bed, covered
with blood, which provea conclusiyely
that the murdered woman wore her shoes
when the deed was committed.
The Herald also says: Last nights 10
o'clock train brought Detectives Shore
and Coulson, OF Pittsburgh, to this city,
and this morning in company with Mar
shal Scott, the detectives went to the
Cove. Had these men arrived yesterday
morning, and without being known, had
an opportunity of converting with the
prisoner, an opportunity would have been
given them TO note his actions, and their
knowledge OF the conduct Of criminals
might have been OF service to ther;in fer
retting out the murderer. .rs|
The Gaztite says: During the exami-
nation Baker displayed his characteristic
nerve, never wincing at any questions
asked, and at times he laughed outright at
questions he thought were absurd. He
displayed not tho least grief over the
death Of his wife, and was apparently in.
different to everything while on the stand
except his own safety, for at times he
looked out the window as If he were feel
ing the import Of the talk Of the people
who stood in groups on the outside.
The blue pantaloons which are missing
are a link in the chain OF evidence that
may be found. There are witnesaes who
say positively that Baker wore on Mon
day full suit OF blue. He says that the
pantaloons ought to be in his bedroom,
but they are not there and were not Tues
day morning. II they can be found and
have blood stains on them, it will be
link in the chain Of evidence that will be
very convincing. He appears altogether
indifferent as to the whereabouts OF the
pantaloons. AL he says is that they
ought to be in his bod room, where they
are not, and have not been since the
murder was committed.
The funeral OF the two victims took
place yesterday afternoon at 2 O'Clock, and
was attended by vast crowd OF people.
=. u Tt 80 ~. s